Audio Engineering Major and Bachelor Degree Program Information

Get detailed program information about bachelor's level studies in audio engineering. Learn what is needed to gain entry into this program and what courses are offered in the curriculum. Find out career and continuing education options for graduates.

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Essential Information

The audio engineering major is intended for students interested in working in music recording, film production, theater or other areas requiring audio production. Audio engineering bachelor's degree programs train students in analog and digital recording technology. Bachelor's degree programs in audio engineering , also known as recording arts, require both strong technological skills and creativity. Students spend significant time in a laboratory setting gaining hands-on experience with audio electronics such as oscilloscopes and mixing boards. Additionally, students learn to use computer-based programs like Pro Tools software. Audio engineering majors also learn music industry law, audio transmission theory and musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) technology.

Educational Prerequisites

Audio engineering bachelor's degree programs are most commonly offered at 4-year colleges and universities. Applicants are required to possess a high school diploma or the equivalent. Many programs look favorably upon applicants with audio-visual experience at the high school level. The submission of ACT or SAT scores is often required.

Program Coursework

Coursework for audio engineering majors covers an array of audio technology and techniques, with some programs including music history and theory courses. Common courses include the following:

Introduction to audio engineering

Fundamentals of audiology

Audio post-production

Digital mastering technology

Music recording and producing

Film and video audio engineering

Fundamentals of music theory

Music history

Popular Career Options

Graduates of audio engineering bachelor's degree programs work in audio production and post-production positions in the music, television and film industries. Popular careers include the following positions:

Music producer

CD and DVD mastering engineer

Post-production engineer

Broadcast audio engineer

Theater sound technician

Continuing Education Information

The field of audio engineering primarily involves freelance work through employers whose main requirement is experience. A bachelor's degree is sufficient for most positions. However, master's and Ph.D. degrees are available in audio engineering, audio science and recording technology. Certification is generally not required for audio engineers.